Behind the Veil of Silence: A Tale of Lost Salaries, Atlas Reorganization, Administrative Silence and Psychological Manipulation

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Labyrinth Atlas: Twenty Years of Unpaid Wages, Political Clientelism and Institutional Gaslighting in the Heart of Moravia

Twenty years after the events in Přerov exposed the systemic failure of Czech authorities, it is time to speak out. This story is not only about unpaid salaries in sport; it is about a deeper problem—how institutions use silence and manipulation to muzzle those who seek justice. 20.5.2025. Mgr. Tomas Kacel

Unpaid salaries for top leagues and Olympic preselections in Czech jerseys

Part One: Unpaid Wages, a Secret Unit, Tangled Connections and Lost Trust

In 2005–2006, sporting life in Přerov reached its peak—hundreds of young people, professionals and flagship projects such as Atlas (the local Centre for Children and Youth) worked at full throttle. The results were there, spectators applauded—yet the pay never came.

Instead of reward and fair recognition came debt, withheld information and a series of structural changes designed to shroud the situation and divert attention. While government organisations had money, athletes and coaches often received nothing. Those who did not work were paid; those who did were silenced. That was the system.

Unpaid Wages for Top-Tier Competitions and Olympic Pre-Selection, Including World Championships in National Colours

We wrote a multi-part journalistic series about the entire scandal. We eventually had to file a criminal complaint through the Supreme Audit Office against the National Sports Agency, which was supposed to solve the problem. Do you think the mentioned authorities ever responded to us in accordance with any law?

The Atlas Restructuring and its Cover-Up

The restructuring of the Centre for Children and Youth—project Atlas, later Bios—was officially presented as modernisation: the new Leisure Centre Atlas & Bios. In reality, it was a reaction to uncovered internal problems, including alarming suspicions of child abuse and a toxic environment inside the institution.

The change existed only on paper: people who had remained silent kept their positions. The rules never changed. The silence continued.

Nation-wide reforms were taking place at the same time—state infant care institutions were abolished and foster care was promoted instead. The same youth and education department of the Olomouc Region, which had failed in supervising Atlas, likewise failed in parallel social-care duties. They knew what was happening. They did nothing.

Local Failure and Systemic Silence

At the regional Youth and Education Department absolute silence reigned. Repeated requests under Act No. 106/1999 Coll. were never answered; everything was postponed, locked away or dissolved into “classified space”.

When the first complaints arrived, the police said nothing. When you asked for evidence, the answer was “That’s secret.” Thirty-day legal deadlines were ignored. People who spoke up were often removed from their posts.

The “Gross Unit”: Disappearing Truth

Complaints and files were funnelled into the so-called Gross Unit—a secret police unit unknown to ordinary investigators. Regular paths to justice were blocked. The Gross Unit—or at least its structure—existed until 2015. Only after it was dissolved did a Constitutional Court ruling appear, confirming that we had been right. Yet we never received the documents—only empty, general words.

Interwoven Ties and Names

Influential people intervened in the affair, directly or indirectly, on city, regional and national levels. These names are no speculation—they are documented links showing how deeply the entire structure is intertwined:

Jiří Lajtoch – former mayor of Přerov, prosecuted over public-procurement cases, later compensated by the state.
Mgr. Petr Kouba – deputy mayor for education in Přerov, ODS member, history teacher; key figure responsible for the area where restructuring occurred.
Prof. Petr Fiala – current Czech Prime Minister (ODS), by training a historian; his education and position directly link schooling structures and state power.
Michal Zácha – regional ODS chairman, former deputy governor of Olomouc Region; regional subsidies and investments in education and sport flowed under his watch; repeatedly linked to suspicions.
Miroslav Pelta – definitively convicted of manipulating sports subsidies; a symbol of siphoning off and distorting state support for sport.

A Minor Example

At national or world championships, police officers from the Czech Police would arrive and make us sign, in our own hand, confirmations that we were at the event and had not received any money in our accounts—not even travel advances. The officers issued no copies. They collected everything from us, yet within the legal 30 days neither documents nor money arrived. Thousands of paying spectators bought tickets, overpriced food and souvenirs—millions in profits; state and private bodies alike siphoned off the money with politicians. Whenever we asked for documents we were told, “That’s secret.” Yet the Victim’s Instruction Sheet clearly states a victim’s right to view the entire file. It was systematic discrimination that continues to this day.

Practices and Further Examples of Failure

Head of the Olomouc Regional Traffic Inspectorate: zero response to legal inquiries.
Prague Criminal Police: ignored the statutory 30-day deadline—same as in Olomouc.
Repeated, systematic diversion of files into “secret” repositories—letting no one see anything.

These are only two more examples from the first three months of 2025. I have long said that Act 106/1999 Coll. exists only so that we look good to the West, and the Victims’ Rights Charter is little more than toilet paper.

Point: “Our Success” Only on the Surface

Yes, the restructuring was presented as a success. But it was we—coaches, athletes, employees—who caused the pressure. Without us, the change would never have happened.

Yet it was a mere band-aid—changing the name on paper. Real improvement? Zero. The same people, the same silence. ODS kept control; people stayed under pressure.

“Our success” was witnessing a sign change on the building—nothing more.

Part Two: Gaslighting—The State’s Psychological Weapon

A system does not collapse only under a paragraph—it collapses on the psyche. What they did to us has a name: gaslighting.

It was not just about unpaid money—it was about how the system forced us to doubt: ourselves, what we saw, what we felt.

“You just think that.”
“That’s classified.”
“None of your business.”
“We’ll answer later.”
“Go elsewhere.”

We were beaten down by silence, by utter disregard. They disconnected us from reality. We started doubting even our own truth. Nobody can last long in such an environment.

The Gaslighting Cycle: How Authorities Systematically Manipulate Citizens

Many people left the system not only without pay but without self-confidence, with a lasting feeling that the law does not exist.

Systemic Manipulation and its Consequences

Gaslighting, as experts define it, is manipulation and emotional abuse whereby the aggressor undermines a victim’s judgement, perception of reality, memory and common sense—through repeated lies, denial, hiding things, questioning and belittling the victim’s opinions and thoughts.

In our case it was institutional gaslighting—an entire system of offices using tactics that systematically question the legitimacy of citizens’ demands. The goal is to gain control over another’s life and deepen the victim’s dependence on the system.

Gaslighting and its Impact on Vertical and Lateral Thinking: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Cognitive Consequences of Psychological Manipulation

Gaslighting is one of the most destructive forms of psychological manipulation, systematically undermining victims’ ability to perceive reality and trust their own judgement. Originating in the 1938 play Gas Light, the phenomenon has become the focus of intense scientific interest, especially regarding its devastating effects on cognitive functions. Current research shows that gaslighting harms not only emotional well-being but fundamentally alters how people process information, solve problems and make decisions.

This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of how gaslighting specifically affects two distinct cognitive styles: vertical thinking, characterised by a logical, sequential problem-solving approach, and lateral thinking, marked by creativity and flexibility in dealing with new situations. Understanding these relationships is critical for developing effective therapeutic interventions and preventive measures.

Theoretical Foundations of Cognitive Styles

Vertical Thinking: Characteristics and Mechanisms

First systematically described by Edward de Bono in 1970, vertical thinking is selective, analytical and sequential. It relies heavily on logical procedures and thorough analysis of available information before decisions are made. Vertical thinking prefers structured processes with each step logically following the previous one and exhibits low tolerance for ambiguity or uncertainty.

Research shows vertical thinking is closely linked to activity in the prefrontal cortex, which directs executive functions such as planning, decision-making and impulse control. People with a dominant vertical style achieve high accuracy in analytical tasks but may struggle in situations requiring rapid adaptation to new conditions.

Lateral Thinking: Principles of Creativity and Flexibility

Lateral thinking offers an alternative cognitive approach emphasising creativity, intuition and the ability to “think outside established patterns”. Unlike vertical thinking, it tolerates high levels of uncertainty and works effectively with incomplete information. This style is multidirectional and can restructure existing thought patterns.

Neurobiologically, lateral thinking is associated with expanded activity in various brain networks, including the default mode network, which plays a key role in creative processes and self-reflection. Research suggests individuals with stronger lateral abilities show higher cognitive flexibility and better adaptation to new situations.

Neurobiological Foundations of Gaslighting

Mechanisms of Brain Changes

Gaslighting triggers complex neurobiological changes affecting several key brain structures and systems. Chronic exposure to psychological manipulation leads to hyper-activation of the amygdala, responsible for processing fear and anxiety. Concurrently, hippocampal atrophy occurs, resulting in memory impairments and learning difficulties.

The prefrontal cortex, which governs executive functions and critical thinking, shows significant dysfunction in gaslighting victims. This region, crucial for planning, decision-making and impulse control, is disrupted, severely impairing rational reasoning. Research has also identified changes in the default mode network, involved in self-reflection and introspection.

HPA Axis Stress Response and Neurochemical Changes

Gaslighting activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to chronically elevated cortisol and other stress hormones. This dysregulation has far-reaching cognitive consequences, including memory impairment, decreased concentration and compromised decision-making. The locus coeruleus–noradrenaline system shows hyperactivity, resulting in chronic hyper-vigilance and anxiety.

Effects of Gaslighting on Cognitive Functions

Overall Picture of Cognitive Damage

Research documents extensive impacts of gaslighting across a broad spectrum of cognitive functions. The most affected areas are perception of reality and self-awareness: victims show severe impairments in distinguishing fact from manipulation. Critical thinking, fundamental for rational analysis of information, is greatly weakened, making victims more susceptible to further manipulation.

Memory functions show significant disturbances, especially in short-term memory and consolidation. Victims frequently doubt their own recollection of events—directly resulting from the manipulator’s tactics. Decision-making ability is compromised by chronic uncertainty and fear of making mistakes.

Specific Cognitive Deficits

Executive functions—planning, organisation and problem solving—are significantly impaired, manifested in difficulty initiating tasks, maintaining attention and switching flexibly between cognitive strategies. Cognitive flexibility, key to adapting to new situations, is drastically reduced.

Attention and concentration deficits appear as increased distractibility and difficulty sustaining focus. These problems are often accompanied by ADHD-like symptoms that may persist even after the manipulative relationship ends.

Impact on Vertical Thinking

Distortion of Logical Processes

Gaslighting exerts a paradoxical effect on vertical thinking: it heightens reliance on rigid logical structures while simultaneously distorting them. Victims over-rely on external validation of their logical conclusions after losing confidence in their own analytical abilities. Highly intelligent individuals may begin to question basic logical principles.

Sequential information processing becomes extremely rigid and anxious. Victims tend to obsessively verify every step of their reasoning, paradoxically reducing their analytical efficiency. Tolerance for uncertainty—already low in vertical thinking—virtually disappears.

Decision Paralysis

One of the most characteristic outcomes of gaslighting on vertical thinking is decision paralysis. Victims become unable to make even simple choices without external confirmation, continually doubting the correctness of their analytical steps. This phenomenon is linked to hyper-activity in the prefrontal cortex, attempting to compensate for doubt through excessive analysis.

Impact on Lateral Thinking

Suppression of Creativity and Innovation

Gaslighting devastates lateral thinking primarily by dramatically suppressing creativity and innovative thought. Chronic fear of error and judgement eliminates willingness to experiment with new approaches or accept unconventional solutions. Victims show a markedly reduced capacity to “think outside the box”, a core feature of lateral thinking.

Tolerance for uncertainty—fundamental to lateral thinking—is virtually eliminated. This deficit manifests as reluctance to engage in activities requiring improvisation or risk associated with creative processes. Research shows recovery of lateral abilities is often the most challenging part of therapy.

Disruption of Flexibility and Adaptability

Cognitive flexibility—central to lateral thinking—is profoundly disrupted. Victims struggle to switch between conceptual frameworks and resist modifying entrenched approaches to problems. Perseverative behaviour is common: clinging to ineffective strategies despite obvious failure.

Key Study Findings: Gaslighting’s Differential Impact on Cognitive Styles

Aspect	Vertical Thinking	Lateral Thinking
Approach	Sequential, analytical	Multidimensional, creative
Pattern Use	Develops existing patterns	Restructures patterns
Uncertainty	Low tolerance	High tolerance
Information Need	Requires complete data	Operates on incomplete data
Speed	Slow but deliberative	Fast, spontaneous

Gaslighting’s Cognitive Impact by Domain

Cognitive Domain	Impact Level (%)	Main Manifestations
Reality Perception	98%	Distorted perception, self-doubt
Self-awareness	95%	Reduced understanding of own thoughts
Critical Thinking	92%	Weakened logical analysis
Memory	90%	Short-term memory difficulties
Decision-making	88%	Compromised rational choices
Executive Functions	85%	Impaired planning and problem solving
Cognitive Flexibility	80%	Reduced adaptability
Attention	75%	Lower concentration, distractibility

Neurobiological Mechanisms

Brain Structure	Gaslighting Impact	Effect on Thinking
Amygdala	+95% hyper-activity	Heightened anxiety, fear
Hippocampus	–90% atrophy	Memory disorders
Prefrontal Cortex	–85% dysfunction	Impaired executive functions
HPA Axis	88% dysregulation	Chronic stress
LC–NE System	82% hyper-activity	Hyper-vigilance
Default Mode Network	–80% connectivity	Self-reflection issues

Differential Vulnerability of Cognitive Styles

Vertical and lateral thinking exhibit different vulnerability patterns to gaslighting. Vertical thinking retains some analytical ability but becomes rigid and anxious; lateral thinking is often completely paralysed. Understanding these differences has major therapeutic implications.

Individuals with a dominant vertical style may initially be more resilient to certain forms of gaslighting due to their habit of systematic verification. However, once their trust in logical processes is broken, recovery can be slower and more difficult.

Recovery Mechanisms and Resilience

Neuroplasticity allows damaged cognitive functions to recover, but speed and completeness differ. Vertical functions often show faster initial improvement through structured cognitive therapies, whereas restoring lateral abilities requires longer time and specialised creativity-focused approaches.

Therapeutic Implications and Interventions

Strategies for Cognitive Rehabilitation

Effective therapy must address both cognitive styles through integrated approaches.

Vertical thinking: Structured cognitive-behavioural therapy, gradual exposure to uncertainty, rebuilding confidence in analytic skills, mindfulness techniques to restore self-awareness and differentiate internal vs external validation.
Lateral thinking: Creative therapies, art therapy, gradual exposure to new, unstructured situations, establishing safe environments for experimentation without fear of judgement or failure.

Prevention and Education

Prevention through raising awareness of gaslighting and its mechanisms can markedly reduce victimisation risk. Education in critical thinking and recognising manipulation provides tools to protect against psychological abuse—especially for high-risk groups such as trauma survivors or those with low self-esteem.

Conclusions and Future Research Directions

Gaslighting inflicts complex, devastating effects on both major cognitive styles, with lateral thinking showing greater vulnerability. Neurobiological mechanisms involve changes in key brain structures, manifesting in specific cognitive deficits. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing targeted therapeutic interventions to restore cognitive abilities.

Future research should focus on longitudinal studies tracking recovery processes and identifying protective factors that enhance resilience to psychological manipulation. More studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches in restoring specific cognitive styles.

Practical implications highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach combining neurobiological, psychological and social interventions. Only through such a holistic strategy can we fully address the complex cognitive impact of psychological manipulation and help victims regain their ability to think clearly, creatively and independently.

Final Appeal

We call upon the Czech Police:

Stop loafing. Stop taking bribes. Start writing letters, answering requests and doing your job according to the law.

Citizens deserve answers, not silence.

In Closing

This article is personal testimony, yet it is not about an individual. It is about an entire system that stays silent, hides, covers up. It is about regional education departments, councillors, politicians and regions where political connections always trump justice.

It is time to say enough. Time to stop the silence. Time to lift our heads— for us, for the youth, for the future.

Note on the Present

While infant care institutions were indeed abolished in 2025, systemic problems with transparency and accountability persist. Police still ignore statutory deadlines, offices avoid responses and citizens must battle mute institutions.

The 2016 police restructuring, merging the ÚOOZ and ÚOKFK into the National Centre for Organised Crime, was just another step in a long history of structural changes that were supposed to fix systemic problems but in fact merely moved them elsewhere.

Sources

This article draws on personal experience and verifiable facts about restructurings, links to state care and current events within the Olomouc Regional Department of Youth and Education, supplemented by publicly available information on key figures and institutions.

Part III: “As I Declared—This Year We Dive Into AI”

Why not? Without AI, you might as well not live. I had the entire article run through PERPLEXITY LAB and GEMINI PRO. Below you will find what the AI thinks—its summary and what it tried to find online. Note: AI has no full access to case law; those are for other tools. It also struggles with definitive rulings.

(Followed by AI-generated summary and reflections.)

Labyrinth Atlas: Twenty Years of Unpaid Wages, Political Clientelism and Institutional Gaslighting in the Heart of Moravia

Twenty years after events in Přerov exposed the systematic failure of Czech authorities, it's time to speak out. This story isn't just about unpaid salaries in sport; it's about a deeper problem—how institutions use silence and manipulation to muzzle those who seek justice.

Part One: Unpaid Wages, a Secret Unit, Entangled Connections and Lost Trust

In the middle of 2005–2006, sporting life in Přerov reached its peak—hundreds of young people, professionals and flagship projects like the Atlas center (House of Children and Youth) worked at full throttle. The results were there, spectators applauded—yet payment never came.

Instead of reward and fair recognition came debt, concealment of key information and a series of structural changes designed to cover up the situation and divert attention. While government organizations had money, athletes and coaches often received nothing. Those who didn't work got paid; those who toiled were silenced. That was the system.

Unpaid Salaries for Top-Tier Competitions and Olympic Pre-Selection, Including World Championships in National Colors

The Atlas Restructuring and its Cover-Up

The restructuring of the House of Children and Youth—the Atlas project and later Bios—was officially presented as modernization: the new Leisure Center Atlas & Bios was created. In reality, it was a reaction to uncovered internal problems, including alarming suspicions of child abuse and a toxic environment inside the institution.

The change existed only on paper: people who had remained silent kept their positions. The rules never changed. The silence continued.

Nation-wide reforms were taking place simultaneously—the state was abolishing state infant care institutions and pushing for a transfer of care to foster families. The same youth and education department of the Olomouc Region, which had failed in supervising Atlas, likewise failed in parallel social-care duties. They knew what was happening. They did nothing.

Local Failure and Systematic Silence

At the regional Youth and Education Department, absolute silence reigned. Repeated requests under Act No. 106/1999 Coll. were never answered; everything was postponed, locked away or dissolved into "classified space".

When the first complaints arrived, the police said nothing. When you asked for evidence, the answer was "That's secret." Thirty-day legal deadlines were ignored. People who spoke up were often removed from their posts.

The "Gross Unit": Disappearing Truth

Complaints and files were funneled into the so-called Gross Unit—a secret police unit unknown to ordinary investigators. Regular paths to justice were blocked. The Gross Unit—or at least its structure—existed until 2015. Only after it was dissolved did a Constitutional Court ruling appear, confirming that we had been right. Yet we never received the documents—only empty, general words.

Interwoven Ties and Names

Jiří Lajtoch – former mayor of Přerov, prosecuted over public-procurement cases, later compensated by the state.
Mgr. Petr Kouba – deputy mayor for education in Přerov, ODS member, history teacher; key figure responsible for the area where restructuring occurred.
Prof. Petr Fiala – current Czech Prime Minister (ODS), by training a historian; his education and position directly link schooling structures and state power.
Michal Zácha – regional ODS chairman, former deputy governor of Olomouc Region; regional subsidies and investments in education and sport flowed under his watch; repeatedly linked to suspicions.
Miroslav Pelta – definitively convicted of manipulating sports subsidies; a symbol of siphoning off and distorting state support for sport.

A Minor Example

At national or world championships, police officers from the Czech Police would arrive and make us sign, in our own hand, confirmations that we were at the event and had not received any money in our accounts—not even travel advances. The officers issued no copies. They collected everything from us, yet within the legal 30 days neither documents nor money arrived. Thousands of paying spectators bought tickets, overpriced food and souvenirs—millions in profits; state and private bodies alike siphoned off the money with politicians. Whenever we asked for documents we were told, "That's secret." Yet the Victim's Instruction Sheet clearly states a victim's right to view the entire file. It was systematic discrimination that continues to this day.

Practices and Further Examples of Failure

Head of the Olomouc Regional Traffic Inspectorate: zero response to legal inquiries.
Prague Criminal Police: ignored the statutory 30-day deadline—same as in Olomouc.
Repeated, systematic diversion of files into "secret" repositories—letting no one see anything.

These are only two more examples from the first three months of 2025. I have long said that Act 106/1999 Coll. exists only so that we look good to the West, and the Victims' Rights Charter is little more than toilet paper.

Point: "Our Success" Only on the Surface

Yes, the restructuring was presented as a success. But it was we—coaches, athletes, employees—who caused the pressure. Without us, the change would never have happened.

Yet it was a mere band-aid—changing the name on paper. Real improvement? Zero. The same people, the same silence. ODS kept control; people stayed under pressure.

"Our success" was witnessing a sign change on the building—nothing more.

Part Two: Gaslighting—The State's Psychological Weapon

A system doesn't collapse only under a paragraph—it collapses on the psyche. What they did to us has a name: gaslighting.

It wasn't just about unpaid money—it was about how the system forced us to doubt: ourselves, what we saw, what we felt.

"You just think that."
"That's classified."
"None of your business."
"We'll answer later."
"Go elsewhere."

We were beaten down by silence, by utter disregard. They disconnected us from reality. We started doubting even our own truth. Nobody can last long in such an environment.

The Gaslighting Cycle: How Authorities Systematically Manipulate Citizens

Many people left the system not only without pay but without self-confidence, with a lasting feeling that the law doesn't exist.

Systematic Manipulation and its Consequences

Gaslighting, as experts define it, is manipulation and emotional abuse whereby the aggressor undermines a victim's judgement, perception of reality, memory and common sense—through repeated lies, denial, hiding things, questioning and belittling the victim's opinions and thoughts.

In our case it was institutional gaslighting—an entire system of offices using tactics that systematically question the legitimacy of citizens' demands. The goal is to gain control over another's life and deepen the victim's dependence on the system.

Gaslighting and its Impact on Vertical and Lateral Thinking: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Cognitive Consequences of Psychological Manipulation

Gaslighting is one of the most destructive forms of psychological manipulation, systematically undermining victims' ability to perceive reality and trust their own judgement. Originating in the 1938 play Gas Light, the phenomenon has become the focus of intense scientific interest, especially regarding its devastating effects on cognitive functions. Current research shows that gaslighting harms not only emotional well-being but fundamentally alters how people process information, solve problems and make decisions.

Theoretical Foundations of Cognitive Styles

Vertical Thinking: Characteristics and Mechanisms

Lateral Thinking: Principles of Creativity and Flexibility

Lateral thinking offers an alternative cognitive approach emphasising creativity, intuition and the ability to "think outside established patterns". Unlike vertical thinking, it tolerates high levels of uncertainty and works effectively with incomplete information. This style is multidirectional and can restructure existing thought patterns.

Neurobiological Foundations of Gaslighting

Mechanisms of Brain Changes

HPA Axis Stress Response and Neurochemical Changes

Effects of Gaslighting on Cognitive Functions

Overall Picture of Cognitive Damage

Memory functions show significant disturbances, especially in short-term memory and consolidation. Victims frequently doubt their own recollection of events—directly resulting from the manipulator's tactics. Decision-making ability is compromised by chronic uncertainty and fear of making mistakes.

Specific Cognitive Deficits

Impact on Vertical Thinking

Distortion of Logical Processes

Decision Paralysis

Impact on Lateral Thinking

Suppression of Creativity and Innovation

Gaslighting devastates lateral thinking primarily by dramatically suppressing creativity and innovative thought. Chronic fear of error and judgement eliminates willingness to experiment with new approaches or accept unconventional solutions. Victims show a markedly reduced capacity to "think outside the box", a core feature of lateral thinking.

Disruption of Flexibility and Adaptability

Key Study Findings: Gaslighting's Differential Impact on Cognitive Styles

Aspect	Vertical Thinking	Lateral Thinking
Approach	Sequential, analytical	Multidimensional, creative
Pattern Use	Develops existing patterns	Restructures patterns
Uncertainty	Low tolerance	High tolerance
Information Need	Requires complete data	Operates on incomplete data
Speed	Slow but deliberative	Fast, spontaneous

Gaslighting's Cognitive Impact by Domain

Cognitive Domain	Impact Level (%)	Main Manifestations
Reality Perception	98%	Distorted perception, self-doubt
Self-awareness	95%	Reduced understanding of own thoughts
Critical Thinking	92%	Weakened logical analysis
Memory	90%	Short-term memory difficulties
Decision-making	88%	Compromised rational choices
Executive Functions	85%	Impaired planning and problem solving
Cognitive Flexibility	80%	Reduced adaptability
Attention	75%	Lower concentration, distractibility

Neurobiological Mechanisms

Brain Structure	Gaslighting Impact	Effect on Thinking
Amygdala	+95% hyper-activity	Heightened anxiety, fear
Hippocampus	–90% atrophy	Memory disorders
Prefrontal Cortex	–85% dysfunction	Impaired executive functions
HPA Axis	88% dysregulation	Chronic stress
LC–NE System	82% hyper-activity	Hyper-vigilance
Default Mode Network	–80% connectivity	Self-reflection issues

Differential Vulnerability of Cognitive Styles

Recovery Mechanisms and Resilience

Therapeutic Implications and Interventions

Strategies for Cognitive Rehabilitation

Effective therapy must address both cognitive styles through integrated approaches.

Vertical thinking: Structured cognitive-behavioural therapy, gradual exposure to uncertainty, rebuilding confidence in analytic skills, mindfulness techniques to restore self-awareness and differentiate internal vs external validation.
Lateral thinking: Creative therapies, art therapy, gradual exposure to new, unstructured situations, establishing safe environments for experimentation without fear of judgement or failure.

Prevention and Education

Conclusions and Future Research Directions

Part III: The Great Silence—Masterclass in Bureaucratic Warfare

This part focuses on the local context and shows how seemingly administrative decisions were, according to testimony, calculated steps to conceal problems and maintain control.

The Paper House—Restructuring and Retaliation in Přerov

Project Atlas: The "Modernisation" Façade

In the mid-first decade of the 21st century, the House of Children and Youth in Přerov, especially its "Atlas" project, represented an important centre of community life. As testified by participants, it was a place pulsing with activity where hundreds of young people engaged in sports and other leisure activities. Official records show that during this period a significant organisational change occurred: the DDM was restructured and the Atlas and Bios Leisure Centre was created. This step was presented to the public as modernisation aimed at improving services for youth.

While the official version spoke of progress, testimony from inside the institution paints a completely different picture. According to it, the restructuring was a direct response to a deep internal crisis. This included not only non-payment of wages to coaches and staff, but also more serious, alarming suspicions of "toxic environment and child abuse." From this perspective, the restructuring served not to improve the situation but to cover it up. The name change and organisational structure became a tool to divert attention from internal complaints and silence critical voices. The witness describes the result unambiguously: "People who had been silent before remained in their positions. The rules didn't change. The silence continued."

Local Architects of Power

At the centre of events stood key political actors who had direct responsibility for the given area and whose decisions shaped the environment in which the crisis unfolded.

Mgr. Petr Kouba (ODS) is identified in testimony as a key figure responsible for the education and youth sector in Přerov in the position of deputy for education. His professional profile shows a long career in education, especially at Jakub Škoda Grammar School, and deep involvement in extracurricular activities such as the Dlažka Club or the national Debate program, focused on developing critical thinking among youth. This image of a public official devoted to youth development stands in stark contrast to the claim that serious failures, financial non-transparency and potential endangerment of young people occurred in the sector he managed.

Ing. Jiří Lajtoch (ČSSD) served as mayor of Přerov from 2006, having held the position of deputy mayor since 1998. His term of office thus covers the entire period of the initial conflict in DDM Atlas. Although he was a member of a different political party (ČSSD), his leadership of the city hall created the political climate in the city. His tenure was later marked by his own legal problems. Together with other councillors, he faced charges in a case of manipulation of public contracts for the reconstruction of the winter stadium and construction of a retirement home. Although he was eventually acquitted, the protracted court process and controversy around it left a shadow of suspicion over Přerov city hall.

It becomes apparent that the DDM Atlas restructuring was not merely a local administrative step, but an early example of a recurring pattern: the use of superficial, structural changes as a tool to deflect criticism and create the illusion of solution without actually removing the problem. This approach can be described as a form of institutional deception.

Part III: Regional Web—Clientelism and Power in Olomouc Region

This part expands the view from the city of Přerov to the regional level and shows how local events were influenced by broader political and financial networks and how they interconnected with them.

The Olomouc Connection: ODS, Subsidies and Influence

The key figure connecting Přerov with regional government in Olomouc is Michal Zácha (ODS). His career progression is characteristic: from a position in Přerov city council he worked his way up to the post of deputy governor of Olomouc Region, where he had responsibility for sport and leisure among other areas. Testimony suggests that under his oversight flowed regional subsidies and investments precisely into those sectors (education, sport) where the described problems were taking place.

As illustration of the national context, Miroslav Pelta is mentioned. His definitive conviction for manipulation of sports subsidies serves as a strong symbol of systemic corruption in the Czech sports environment. The Pelta case demonstrates that the witnesses' experience with unpaid wages in sport in Přerov was not an anomaly, but rather a symptom of a nationwide system where sports financing was vulnerable to political influence and manipulations.

Culture of Impunity: The Lajtoch Precedent

The legal cases of former Přerov mayor Jiří Lajtoch, which unfolded parallel to the witnesses' struggle, create a strong narrative about perceived impunity of politically influential persons. Lajtoch was charged in an extensive case concerning public contracts for winter stadium reconstruction and retirement home construction.

The court process dragged on for several years and was characterised by contradictory rulings between the district and regional courts. A key moment was an amendment to the public procurement law that raised the permitted limit for so-called additional work. Because costs in the Přerov case didn't exceed the new, higher limit, this legislative shift retrospectively weakened the prosecution's arguments.

The entire process was also marked by disputes between state prosecutors. Originally the case was supervised by a prosecutor from Vsetín who wanted to stick with the charges. However, the regional prosecutor ordered him to stop prosecution of most of the accused. When he refused, the case was taken away from him and regional prosecution stopped the prosecution, reasoning that the described acts, though they occurred, were not criminal offences. Lajtoch and others were eventually definitively acquitted.

This saga creates a sharp contrast. While citizens sought justice and answers in vain for years in a case of relatively small financial amounts and were confronted with silence, a high-ranking politician facing serious corruption charges successfully navigated the legal system to complete acquittal under circumstances accompanied by procedural controversies and disputes within the justice system. This necessarily strengthened the feeling among the public and victims that justice isn't the same for everyone.

The Great Silence—Masterclass in Bureaucratic Warfare

This section is the core of the analysis and fulfills the requirement to supplement specific examples of office failures. It's structured as a forensic analysis of bureaucratic obstruction tactics.

Tactic 1: "Inaction"—A Weapon in the Form of Non-Action

The first and most frequent tool the witnesses encountered was systematic inaction by authorities. Czech law establishes clear rules. The Administrative Code (Act No. 500/2004 Coll.) requires authorities to handle matters "without unnecessary delay." If this isn't possible, the general deadline for issuing a decision is 30 days from initiating proceedings. Act No. 106/1999 Coll. on free access to information sets a 15-day deadline for responding to requests. These legal obligations are a pillar of the relationship between citizen and state, and their non-compliance is a serious failing.

However, testimony describes the complete opposite. Repeated requests for information and submissions sent to various institutions—specifically to the Youth and Education Department of Olomouc Region, Criminal Police in Prague, or Traffic Inspectorate in Olomouc—remained unanswered or were answered only after many urgings and with significant delay, which is in stark contradiction to the law.

This experience isn't isolated. Reports and opinions of the Public Defender of Rights (ombudsman) have long pointed out that inaction and delays in proceedings are among the most frequent failings of Czech public administration. This places the witnesses' personal experience in the broader context of a documented systemic problem.

Tactic 2: Black Hole—"Classification" and Police Reorganisation

The second pillar of the obstructionist strategy was active obfuscation and thwarting access to information. Testimony describes how files and submissions disappeared into a bureaucratic black hole with the justification that they were "classified" or had been transferred elsewhere.

The testimony mentions the so-called "Gross Unit," allegedly a secret police unit where files were supposed to be diverted so ordinary investigators couldn't access them. Although the existence of such a specific unit isn't documented in available materials, this mention is itself an important symptom. It reflects deep public distrust in police independence during the Stanislav Gross era.

This feeling of chaos and opacity was further amplified by the 2016 police reorganisation. Then two elite units merged—the Unit for Detecting Organised Crime (ÚOOZ), led by Robert Šlachta, and the Unit for Detecting Corruption and Financial Crime (ÚOKFK)—into a new super-unit, the National Centre Against Organised Crime (NCOZ).

Official justification: The aim was to make the fight against crime more effective and better respond to new threats such as terrorism and cybercrime.

Sharp criticism: Top prosecutors and Šlachta himself strongly opposed the merger, who left the police in protest. They argued that reorganisation was a purposeful political move whose real aim was to break up the functioning ÚOOZ, gain control over sensitive cases and slow down investigations targeting the highest levels of politics and business.

For a citizen who had been trying to achieve justice for ten years, this reorganisation represented another insurmountable barrier. His files found themselves inside a newly created, enormous and politically controversial unit. This provided authorities with another perfect excuse for delays, lost documents and non-communication. Reorganisation, presented as a step forward, became in practice another tool for strengthening opacity and creating institutional chaos in which any attempt to obtain answers simply got lost.

The citizen thus didn't face random cases of bureaucratic incompetence, but an elaborate, multi-layered obstruction system. This system functions through both passive aggression (inaction) and active confusion (classification, reorganisation). These aren't system errors; they're functional properties that protect the system from external control.

Part IV: Weapon Called Reality—Anatomy of Institutional Gaslighting

This part presents the analytical core of the report and provides a theoretical framework for understanding the psychological dimension of the witnesses' twenty-year struggle.

Definition of Abuse: From Personal Manipulation to Institutional Tactic

To understand the full impact of authorities' actions, it's necessary to introduce the concept of gaslighting. This is a form of psychological manipulation in which the perpetrator systematically questions the victim's perception of reality, forcing them to doubt their own memory, judgement and mental health. Key techniques include open lying, denying what was said or done, and accusing the victim of being "oversensitive" or "crazy."

This concept can be extended to institutional gaslighting, which occurs when an organisation or power structure abuses its authority to control the narrative and deny the experiences of those affected by its actions. This happens in an environment of significant power imbalance where the institution (state, office) has the upper hand over the individual (citizen). The goal is maintaining control and protecting its own power.

A practical manifestation of institutional gaslighting is bureaucratic harassment. This refers to the use of official procedures, regulations and processes to deliberately harass, delay and frustrate citizens. While institutional gaslighting is a psychological strategy, bureaucratic harassment is a set of specific tools by which this strategy is implemented—endless deadlines, lost documents, constant forwarding between departments. All this aims to cause psychological stress and feelings of helplessness in the victim.

The State's Script: Deconstruction of Tactics

When we look at the events of the past twenty years through the lens of gaslighting, individual steps by authorities stop looking like random failures and begin to form a coherent and frighteningly logical pattern of psychological pressure.

Denial ("That didn't happen"): Initial refusal by authorities to acknowledge the problem of unpaid wages or toxic environment in DDM Atlas. The system acted as if no legitimate problem existed.

Withholding information ("That's classified"): Constant refusal to provide information about investigation status or management of public funds. This step denies the victim's right to truth and systematically instils the feeling that they don't deserve it.

Questioning sanity and credibility ("You're just imagining that"): The very act of systematically ignoring legitimate complaints for years sends a clear message: "Your concerns aren't real, your persistence is irrational." A citizen who seeks answers for years is implicitly portrayed as an obsessive troublemaker.

Trivialisation ("It's just an administrative problem"): Framing deep personal and ethical problems (loss of trust, financial difficulties, suspicion of child endangerment) as mere minor procedural matters. This trivialises the victim's suffering and reduces its significance.

Slow dosing of false hope: Occasional, non-committal responses, promises of investigation that lead nowhere, or cosmetic changes like "changing the sign" at Atlas. These steps serve to provide victims with just enough hope so they don't abandon the system completely and remain trapped in an abuse cycle followed by more silence and disappointment.

The witnesses' experience thus wasn't just a series of legal and administrative battles; it was a protracted campaign of psychological abuse perpetrated by the institution. By applying the formal diagnosis of "institutional gaslighting," the feelings of frustration, self-doubt and exhaustion that witnesses describe are reframed. These aren't their personal failures, but predictable and intended consequences of tactics used by the system.

Conclusion: Twenty Years of Echoes

This report reaches an unambiguous conclusion: seemingly minor injustice in one Czech city revealed a deeply rooted system of political protectionism, deliberate bureaucratic indifference and psychologically abusive tactics. The DDM Atlas story serves as a perfect metaphor for the entire system—cosmetic repair that left rotten foundations untouched. The twenty-year struggle wasn't a battle with individuals, but with a culture that prioritises protecting itself over serving citizens.

Disturbing questions remain whose echoes sound far beyond the borders of Přerov and Olomouc Region. What does it say about the state of democracy when its institutions can ignore laws with impunity? How many other citizens are trapped in similar labyrinths, exhausted into silence? And what's the real cost of a system that protects itself at the expense of trust and mental health of its own people?

The original, anger-filled call to action—"Stop slacking off"—must be transformed into a stronger and more resonant demand for systemic change. Real and tangible penalties for official inaction need to be introduced. Reorganisation of police and other key institutions must proceed transparently with clearly defined, measurable goals, not as tools of political struggle. Most importantly, however, a cultural shift is needed in which public service will again mean service to the public, not to the system itself.

Until this happens, stories like this will inevitably repeat. The fight for justice must not be a marathon that only the most resilient can endure. It must be a fundamental right accessible to all.

Final Appeal

We call upon the Czech Police:

Stop loafing. Stop taking bribes. Start writing letters, answering requests and doing your job according to the law.

Citizens deserve answers, not silence.

In Closing

This article is personal testimony, yet it isn't about an individual. It's about an entire system that stays silent, hides, covers up. It's about regional education departments, councillors, politicians and regions where political connections always trump justice.

It's time to say enough. Time to stop the silence. Time to lift our heads—for us, for the youth, for the future.

Note on the Present

The 2016 police restructuring, merging the ÚOOZ and ÚOKFK into the National Centre Against Organised Crime, was just another step in a long history of structural changes that were supposed to fix systemic problems but in fact merely moved them elsewhere.